Big Build must serve the public, not party politics

Editorial

November 4, 2026 — 5:00am

The Age over many months and in myriad investigations has revealed corruption and intimidation running like a toxic stream through the $100 billion transport project known as Victoria’s Big Build. We published our reports under the umbrella term Building Bad.

This week we have reported on the opening of a branch line in that series. It is not on-site, but from Spring Street where a major infrastructure project has, by all appearances, become a vehicle for political self-interest. The public interest has been shunted to one side. We write of the proposed airport rail link from the CBD to Tullamarine. Such a proposal has existed for more than 60 years. Indeed, its status – on again, off again – has given it a mythical sheen, which now, finally, is about to become a reality.

Work has begun on track and building capacity from West Footscray, on turning Sunshine into a “superhub” and the building of a station at Keilor East expected to be completed by 2031.

However, it is deeply disturbing that running parallel to the announcement of work for the rail link enabling it to move closer to being a reality, information unearthed by The Age casts doubts on the integrity of the selection process for that route.

Age state political editor Chip Le Grand reported this week allegations made in submissions to the Big Build royal commission that a secret working group was established in late 2017 or early 2018 at the direction of then-public transport minister Jacinta Allan to cement the case for the Sunshine route. Its brief was allegedly to study four shortlisted routes and construct a case for the government’s favoured one, which was through Sunshine. In another submission, a planning expert said about $4 billion of unnecessary tunnelling of 3.5 kilometres had been added to the Maribyrnong route to make it less appealing. Allan says the allegations are incorrect. She is expected to be called as a witness before the commission.

Four years ago as transport minister, now-Premier Ben Carroll announced work was to begin soon on the rail link. Now, just before the state election, and with Anthony Albanese by his side, Carroll again announced work on stage two would start soon, courtesy of federal-state funding of $12 billion, declaring the project his “highest priority”. According to a Transport for Victoria assessment at the time of Allan being the responsible minister, Maribyrnong led in bringing benefits to travellers and businesses.

State Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has called for the matter to be examined by the Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects, including allegations that public servants were threatened and intimated to “get a political outcome”. Asked whether a Coalition government would review the project in light of the allegations or consider an alternative route, Wilson said it would be built as planned. “The route is the route. The contracts have been signed, the project is under way and the Coalition is committed to delivering airport rail.”

The royal commission begins public hearings in Melbourne next Monday. Together with an examination of all other facets of the Big Build, the task before it is monumental in aspiration and possibly in consequence. No one should be under the illusion that answers will be dug up in the wink of an eye. A public that has been hit time after time with news of the mishandling of the Big Build should still brace itself. The commission is expected to give a report to the government no later than next August.

As to the disclosures this week, regardless of the intent and who was behind it, we can make this finding: it was bad government. It showed a callous disregard for Victorians and proper process.

It is heartening to note the words of royal commissioner Chris Kourakis, who, in his opening address to the inquiry in September, said that “governments must select and design infrastructure projects around the socioeconomic needs of the Victorian public, and not party political interest”.

Victorians will be taking note of the evidence given at the commission, as will we. No one likes to be railroaded.

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